Dangerous Dogs

Read the following procedures for how the County deals with dangerous dogs:

Dogs and other animals may be declared dangerous under the county's ordinance and dogs may also be declared dangerous or potentially dangerous under North Carolina state laws

A declaration does not cause an animal to be euthanized (or destroyed); rather, it requires the animal to be managed more strictly to be sure that the animal does not cause harm in the future, e.g., they must be muzzled and on a sturdy leash when they are off the owner’s property.

All owners of animals that are declared a danger to the public are entitled to an appeal hearing and notified of these rights at the time they receive the declaration for their animal. Please see the Appeal Hearing FAQ (PDF) that is provided to an owner whose animals are declared.

Animal Services will be closed Monday, 12/24, through Wednesday, 12/26, for the Christmas Holiday. We will still have an Animal Control Officer on call for animal-related emergencies, including potential rabies exposures, animal bites to humans, and animals in extreme danger. Please call 9-1-1 to be connected to our on-call officer during these hours when we are closed.